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If you love Italian, then you have to love Pesto. Personally it’s my favorite Italian sauce for pastas, salads and baked potatoes. Pesto is traditionally made using crushed garlic, basil, olive oil, pine nuts and Parmesan cheese.
There are lots of variation though, some use Romano or Pecorino cheese instead of Parmesan cheese.
This recipe makes 1/2 cup of pesto, good enough if you are making pasta for 2.
I used all the traditional ingredients in this making pesto but you can replace ingredients if you are unable to find them at your local store. Even though traditionally basil is used, pesto can also be made using other greens like cilantro, parsley and arugula.
Pine nuts can be replaced with walnuts, just make sure you chop them finely before putting them in the food processor.
Method
1. Using a food processor, combine basil leaves, pine nuts and garlic.
2. Add the cheese and pulse for a few times more.
3. Using a spatula, scrape from the sides of the food processor and add garlic salt or normal salt, pepper and olive oil.
4. Serve with pasta, salads or potatoes.
Homemade Basil Pesto
Ingredients
- 1.25 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
- 1 garlic clove big
- ¼ cup pine nuts
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp garlic salt
- ¼ tsp pepper or to taste
Instructions
- Using a food processor, combine basil leaves, pine nuts and garlic.
- Add the cheese and pulse for a few times more.
- Using a spatula, scrape from the sides of the food processor and add garlic salt or normal salt, pepper and olive oil.
- Serve with pasta, salads or potatoes.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
